Union or Confederates?

[FortyEighter]

Which side do you prefer?

And if you like to, please tell us why....

[FortyEighter]

For me it's the Union, because thousands of my countrymen ( germans ) did serve in union forces.

Yes, and of course the cause.

[Barker]

Ahh true but there were german units in the south as well....

[Carnium]

Union for me, but just because the cause.
South would be actually closer because of the religion and tradition, but their cause was just wrong (for me).

[Barker]

Slavery is wrong by all that is right but I do support the affirmation of individual and states rights and liberty...

[sval06]

South because of the biggest challenge it represents.

[vonRocko]

I like the south,but usually play north,because computer AI's are better for strategic defence then offense

[Coffee Sergeant]

I like the south,but usually play north,because computer AI's are better for strategic defence then offense

I'm finding the exact opposite, at least in 1.10. The AI as the CSA does not defend Richmond properly at all. Its just way to easy to run a Corps down there and capture it by the end of 1861.

[Dixicrat]

I like the south,but usually play north,because computer AI's are better for strategic defence then offense

Interesting! I've never heard this before, although my initial impression is that it certainly makes sense. Is this a widely held consensus, or simply your personal opinion, based upon your experience as a wargamer?

[Daxil]

I like playing both sides. Keeps everything fresh and new.

[vonRocko]

I should clarify. I find the acw AI intriguing. It has been my experience in computer wargames that AI's offer very little surprises when coducting offensives{if they attack at all}. Usually the best a computer opponent can offer is when it has overwhelming numbers of units,against a few quality troops under my control. But if all factors are equal,then I will beat a computer offensive every time. no suprises,no risk taking. I do not have a final opinion about acw. The game is great,but the 4 campaigns I've played so far,I have won decisively. I keep notching up the difficulties,but computers will never match the human brain! Still,I love this game!

[tagwyn]

I find it difficult to comport individual rights with slavery. Dogmatic insistence on "states rights" cost the South severely. t

[CWNut77]

I prefer (and have mostly only played thus far) the South.

The CSA is IMO not the more challenging side to play -- rather, they are the easier side to play. Although you probably will not do so, you CAN just sit back and play a pretty solid defensive fight and not do any invading at all. As the North, even though you have overwhelming resources and manpower at your disposal, you also thus have much more to work with and maintain -- a couple of good cavalry raids could send you reaching for the aspirin. Not to mention in a war the invader always has the more challenging job. The South has less to keep track of, less frustration with its (for the most part) better leaders, and although there is a lot of land to cover fighting a defensive war with occasional offensive counterpunches is fun by me. Now, that is not to say I do not take advantage of the Union AI

As for the cause -- slavery was NOT the cause for which the average Southerner was fighting this war. Conversely, he was fighting for a breakaway from a government which he felt to be overly oppressing and a challenge to his way of life. Granted, that way of life was for the moment based almost wholly on slave labor -- but I think even if slavery died the South would want to be alone. This is a tough and controversial argument so I will go no further, other than to say that fighting for independence (even if I don't agree with slavery at all) always tilts me to the South's cause more and thus is another reason I prefer to play as the CSA.

[soundoff]

Now from the some of the previous posts what I'm about to say I know will not sit well. I am well aware that each of us play one side or the other for different reasons....but to choose a computer game side because of the 'cause'.....just makes me shake my head in disbelief.

To explain I'm a Brit and very proud of it but if I'm playing say Paradox Hearts of Iron (wash my mouth out for mentioning the name) I'm more likely to play the Germans or the Russians not because I agree or associate myself with their aims or 'cause' but just because ....its a game just as AACW is a game and I want the best challenge I can get. Thats just my take on it.

I can understand folks choosing one side or the other because they have a predeliction for defending or attacking (in general terms) or because they believe the AI to be more of a challenge when playing one side or the other....but to identify with the historical causes in a computer game, now thats a step to far towards virtual reality for this old man.

[CWNut77]

Now from the some of the previous posts what I'm about to say I know will not sit well. I am well aware that each of us play one side or the other for different reasons....but to choose a computer game side because of the 'cause'.....just makes me shake my head in disbelief.

To explain I'm a Brit and very proud of it but if I'm playing say Paradox Hearts of Iron (wash my mouth out for mentioning the name) I'm more likely to play the Germans or the Russians not because I agree or associate myself with their aims or 'cause' but just because ....its a game just as AACW is a game and I want the best challenge I can get. Thats just my take on it.

I can understand folks choosing one side or the other because they have a predeliction for defending or attacking (in general terms) or because they believe the AI to be more of a challenge when playing one side or the other....but to identify with the historical causes in a computer game, now thats a step to far towards virtual reality for this old man.

Consider it kind of a role-playing element and another angle from which to draw satisfaction from a game-playing experience. Does that put it in a better light? For the record -- I mentioned it as "another reason" and not the main reason I choose the South -- though, some others may pick the cause as the main reason, and that is fine as well for the reason above.

[soundoff]

Consider it kind of a role-playing element and another angle from which to draw satisfaction from a game-playing experience. Does that put it in a better light?

Nope....but then as a Brit we have never taken our causes or victories that seriously in terms of celebrating them. I've always suspected its something to do with letting that French interloper overrun us in 1066. Tends to put your (British) history into perspective.

[Ejack]

Union is where I started. I love the strategic options with such a plentiful supply of men and resources. Something about being the aggressor makes the games fun. I actually enjoy the activation penalties. There is something so fun and frustrating when you give a General an order and he decides to sit and wait while his colleagues march to disaster.

I am currently trying the Confederate side and look forward to the potential update where WS and money get even tighter. I think I've played about 3 games as the Rebs and once it was easy, but the other two have been very challenging.

[ncuman]

Nope....but then as a Brit we have never taken our causes or victories that seriously in terms of celebrating them. I've always suspected its something to do with letting that French interloper overrun us in 1066. Tends to put your (British) history into perspective.

True enough. USA looks at war from a different perspective. America has never faced much humiliation in war (with possible exception of Vietnam). And Americans tend to look at the cause of the war with a sense of high minded morality that people in other parts of the world may not share.

But getting back to the original topic, I like playing for the South. Not because I believe in the cause (I don't) but because I am a big "What if" kind of guy. Whatever side lost the war in real life I like playing to see if I can make that side victorious. Doesn't matter if it is this game, or playing as the Germans or Japenese in a WWII game, or any other kind of game. It is always makes victory seem sweeter for me.

[soundoff]

But getting back to the original topic, I like playing for the South. Not because I believe in the cause (I don't) but because I am a big "What if" kind of guy. Whatever side lost the war in real life I like playing to see if I can make that side victorious. Doesn't matter if it is this game, or playing as the Germans or Japenese in a WWII game, or any other kind of game. It is always makes victory seem sweeter for me.

Now that sentiment I can truely identify with

[tcampbell1950]

The north for me because of the need to be proactive and attack while having to defend the raiders in the West. But, since I haven't played the South yet--this might be a bit premature on my part.

[Comtedemeighan]

Confederacy

[Ethy]

i like the north because my favorite colour is blue

[Dixicrat]

I'm sorry, but my preferred side will have to remain a secret.

[boboneilltexas]

The South because it's harder.

[Chamberlain]

Union for me, as I was born & raised in NY.

I did not have any relatives in the war as they did not get here from Italy until the early 1900's.

Chamberlain

[Chaplain Lovejoy]

Union for me, but just because the cause.
South would be actually closer because of the religion and tradition, but their cause was just wrong (for me).

I play union, and I thought that this was the reason. But then I realized that I like to play the Germans in Silent Hunter III!

[Rafiki]

[color="Blue"]This thread is about why *you* as a player choose to play a given side in the game

The derailing discussion about why others chose to fight the real ACW has been moved to its own thread in the history sub-forum, where all discussions about the "real" ACW belong.[/color]

[Grouchy]

The south, for the same reason why i prefer the Japanese in WITP. They are outnumbered, outproduced and outgunned.

[Barker]

It seems that he discussion got sietracked and I apologize for that I was following the threads....I fight the south because it is fun, low resources, less troops, more difficulty....I have mange to acquire225 war supplies by turn 3...so at least I start with a bang

[Zebedee]

In any ACW game, I play a couple of games with the North and then move to the South. Simple reason is that I play against the AI and so playing the underdog is far more of a challenge once I've learnt the game. (Would rather not dive straight in with the underdog though - tends to make for a frustrating learning curve...).